This past week we took a mini trip to Pigeon Forge, TN. Since this was the only four consecutive days we didn't have anything on the calendar, we thought it was only fitting to get away for a few days.
Since Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg is two in half to three hours away (longer with traffic), it is a close vacation spot to make with three young kiddos. This was a last minute trip just like in the fall so surprisingly nothing was planned out but that didn't stop us. Check out what we did below!
Since Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg is two in half to three hours away (longer with traffic), it is a close vacation spot to make with three young kiddos. This was a last minute trip just like in the fall so surprisingly nothing was planned out but that didn't stop us. Check out what we did below!
We got to Pigeon Forge around dinner time so checked out a restaurant we've never eaten at called J.T Hannahs. My husband and I like trying new places when we get the chance to. Overall it was just alright. Our forty minute wait somehow turned into two minutes which was awesome! I think my favorite part was that their drinks were served in huge mason jars.
After dinner we checked out the candy shop next door (way overpriced). Then we hit up a few shops and a gem mine next to one of the shops. The gem mine had a free gem tour which ended up being a small area with some cool rocks, gems, crystals, etc... in it and fun facts. Definitely not what I was expecting and super small but we did finds some cool crystals that were bigger than my kids!
The next day we met up with my mom who was already in Pigeon Forge visiting and we checked out Parrot Mountain & Gardens. Aside from the fun ride up a mountain - the exhibit is literally built on the side of a mountain; Parrot Mountain was a lot of fun. We spent a lot more time than we thought we would, checking out and playing with all the different kinds of birds.
They have a bird nursery where you get to play with smaller birds, see some baby birds if they have any at the time and you can even buy a bird to take home. There is also an area full of larger Parrots, Macaws, Cockatoos and more! You can walk through and feed/pet some of them and interact with them.
There are hundreds of different birds at Parrot Mountain. One of the Cockatoos would dance when my kids danced and another one kept wanting to bump heads with my youngest. It was definitely a fun experience for the whole family!
After Parrot Mountain we hit up the pool to cool off then we got ready and made our way to The Island.
If you visit The Island you have to check out Big Rock Candy Kitchen. They have some of the best fudge I've tried in the area. Last time I was there they had Carmel Apple and Blue Raspberry. This time they had Raspberry Cheesecake and Butterfinger along with several other flavors.
The next day we visited Gatlinburg and checked out the 44th Craftsmen's Fair. We walked around hundreds of booths taste testing dips and foods, looking at crafts and we even got to see how a few were made. They had live music and a kids craft area for kids to paint and make sand necklaces.
We watched Glass by Glass make a glass pumpkin. He said we could take a picture at one point during the demonstration then I later saw a sign saying no pictures of the craft fair so not sure if it was okay... I think the sign was implying no pictures of the crafts to avoid someone stealing their ideas...
After the Craft Fair we checked out Blaine's Grill. After looking at the menu we found out it is the sister restaurant to J.T. Hannahs... oops... several of their menu items were the same just with different names so we ordered something different. I don't know if I was just that hungry but I liked my meal at Blaines better than J.T Hannahs although J.T Hannahs has a better atmosphere.
After lunch we checked out some of the shops on the strip, listened to some music at Ole' Smokey and had a few photo opts. We than walked down to the end of the strip to visit Sugarland Cellars. I liked the wine when we visited in the fall so wanted my mom to try it out this time around.
Afterward we headed back to Pigeon Forge to eat ice cream at The Old Mill Creamery. We also taste tested a few items from the Old Mill Farmhouse Kitchen and bought some Taffy from their Candy Kitchen. My husband checked out their free moonshine tasting at the Old Forge Distillery because they had different flavors but said it doesn't taste as good as Ole' Smokey Moonshine.
The kids were excited to finally get some ice cream. My daughter tried Watermelon Fudge and the boys tried Cookie Monster.
The kids were excited to finally get some ice cream. My daughter tried Watermelon Fudge and the boys tried Cookie Monster.
The next day on our way out we ate at the Frizzle Chicken Farmhouse Cafe. Frizzle Chicken Farmhouse Cafe had robot chickens named after celebrities that would sing and dance every so often. They also let the kids each decor a ceramic egg while we waited to take home.
Frizzle Chicken Farmhouse Cafe was a fun and different restaurant experience. They has some unique pancakes along with the basics. They also had a lunch menu with different chicken entrees.
My mom and I tried the Cinnamon Roll pancakes and they did not disappoint. My husband tried the Chicken Taco Pancakes and said they were pretty good. We used a coupon so all the kids got a free kids meal - all-smiles, bear, and caterpillar pancakes.
The restaurant is only open until 1:00 pm so make sure to plan accordingly if you want to check it out!
After the restaurant we walked around the shops at the Apple Barn and taste tested their Frozen Apple Cider Slushies - yum! We then headed back to reality.
As you can tell we had a fun-filled getaway full of good food and entertainment. I've already added a few things to do if we ever visit again from the Gatlinburg Pinball Museum to the Alcatraz East Crime Museum. Most of the things will probably have to wait until the kiddos are a little older so they can enjoy it but overall it was a successful trip! Special thanks to my mom for letting us join her on her trip!
As you can tell we had a fun-filled getaway full of good food and entertainment. I've already added a few things to do if we ever visit again from the Gatlinburg Pinball Museum to the Alcatraz East Crime Museum. Most of the things will probably have to wait until the kiddos are a little older so they can enjoy it but overall it was a successful trip! Special thanks to my mom for letting us join her on her trip!
Check out our previous fall Gatlinburg Adventure Day 1: Chimney Tops, The Island & Crave Putt Putt and Day 2 & 3: Ripley's Aquarium, Old Mill & Sugarland Cellars.
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